Combat radio rifle



June 2-7, 1961 Filed Dec. 28. 1956 F E. TIFFANY COMBAT RADIO RIFLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. E. TIFFANY COMBAT RADIO RIFLE June 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 28. 1956 l7-TRANSCE|VER filllllllilll 2,990,471 COMBAT RADIO RIFLE Frank Emery Tilfany, Midpines, Calif. Filed Dec. 28, 1956, Ser. No. 631,297 3 Claims. (Cl. 250-13) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in combat or other type of rifles in which, within the rifle stock, a subminiature two way shortwave radio set is concealed, with retractible and extensible antenna, also retractible microphone and earphone, and a suitable power source necessary for the operation of said radio set.

Briefly described, said invention consists of a rifle having a suitable stock. Said rifle stock is capable to house within concealed cavities a subminiaturized two way shortwave radio communication set, including the necessary power source. Also a retractible and extensible antenna is housed in said rifle stock in a separate concealed cavity. In auxiliary cavities are the retractible microphone and earphone supporting arms.

The main object to incorporate a two way shortwave radio set in a rifle stock is to provide a means of communication facilities to combat personnel carrying rifle, by means of same rifle, which is more important to be retained in normal or in critical times by the personnel than any other equipment, possible including the Walkie- Talkie with its additional dead weight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a readily present means of communication between separated personnel where any visible signalling or oral communications would be dangerous or not practical due to enemy interception.

A further object of this invention is to provide a means of communication between squad members, as the radio without extended antenna is preset for short-range conversations. But by extending the concealed antenna, the concealed radio may be used for longer range conversations.

A further object of this invention is to permit communications during combat, when the rifle is in firing position, or in any other position in which the rifle is held.

A further object of this invention is to decrease the amount of dead weight to be carried by the personnel, and to protect said radio set concealed in the rifle stock against damage by protecting by the inherent ruggedness of the rifle stock, which normally outlasts battle-abuses.

The explicit details selected for accomplishing this important result will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings.

FIGURE 1, is a partial left side elevational view of the combat radio rifle stock, in which all components are in retracted position in their concealing cavities.

FIGURE 2, is a partial left side elevational view of the same combat radio rifle stock, in which all components are extended from their concealing cavities.

FIGURE 3, is a partial top elevational view of the same combat radio rifle stock, in which all components are extended from their concealing cavities.

FIGURE 4, is a rear elevational view of the same combat radio rifle stock, in which all components are extended from their concealing cavities.

FIGURE 5, is a rear elevational view of the same combat radio rifle stock, in which all components are retracted into their concealing cavities, and also shows the location of the power source with the battery gate in open position.

FIGURE 6, is a partial left side elevational view of FIGURE 5, in which is shown the battery gate in open position.

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FIGURE 7, is a partial central vertical sectional view of the combat radio rifle stock in which is shown the positions of the concealing cavities and the relative locations of certain components of the subminiaturized shortwave radio set.

FIGURE 8, is a schematic representation of the concealed shortwave radio and the connections to the antenna, microphone and earphone within the concealing cavities in the combat radio rifle stock.

Similar reference numerals in the drawings refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

I have conducted'an exhaustive study of the present developments in combat personnel communication systems and have come to the conclusion that although the presently employed systems are superior to the previous means of communication, at one point all have the same characteristic of added dead weight which must be carried by the combat personnel.

My study revealed that with the latest advancement of miniaturization of the components embodied in the modern and future shortwave radio personnel communication equipment, the problem arises as to the best means of incorporation of such radio devices in some personnel equipment which is least exposed to possible destruction, abandonment and which would not involve additional dead weight to be carried by combat personnel.

In my invention it was imperative to consider the human psychology especially during critical environmental circumstances, when the natural urge to survive, might induce a tendency to discard one by one, articles and gear of personal or military character due to the excess weight, which might interfere with the freedom of action.

According to the same human psychology a combat rifle in possession is the ultimate assurance for a chance of survival.

Therefore in accordance with the spirit of my invention I utilize the stock section of a combat rifle to conceal a two way shortwave radio set, by providing suitable cavities in said stock.

It is important to note that by removing stock materials when providing the required cavities, the structural strength of the rifle stock will not be impaired, but only will be made relatively lighter, which on the other hand will be replaced by the corresponding weight of the inserted radio set.

In practicing my invention, the stock section 1 of a combat rifle is equipped with a removable butt plate 2, said butt plate 2 being removably fastened to the rifle stock 1 by means of screws 6 and 14 respectively. A hinge 13 divides said butt plate 2 through which the lower section of said rifle stock butt plate 11 may be opened when the retainer screw 14 is unscrewed.

' Concealed behind said rifle stock butt plate 2 is provided a suitable cavity 15 which is arranged to house a subminiaturized shortwave two way radio communication set 17, another concealed cavity 16 is provided to house the necessary batteries 12 as the power source for said radio set 17. By opening said hinged section 11 of said butt plate 2, the concealed batteries 12 may be replaced by new batteries.

An elongated concealed cavity 20 is provided, arranged parallel with the upper ridge of said rifle stock 1 to house an extensible, quarter wave length antenna 3, said antenna 3 may be pulled out from said cavity 20 by means of end button 5 and also further may be extended by the telescoping inside antenna section 4. Opposingly arranged to end button 5 on said antenna 3 is provided a spherical stop button 23 which is adapted to limit the outward travel of said antenna 3 from within said cavity 20. A suitable slot 25 is provided on said butt plate 2, through which said antenna 3 may be exposed to its length and also to permit the positioning of said antenna 3 in horizontal or vertical position.

A friction contact spring 24 is provided under said concealed antenna 3 to securely hold said antenna-3 in retracted position, or when extended outwardly, into either horizontal or vertical position to exert positive friction pressure either on the antenna 3 itself or when extended outwardly on the spherical stop button 23. Simultaneously by the friction contact s ring 24, electrical continuity is maintained between antenna 3 and radio set 17.

On the upper ridge of said rifle stock is arranged an inverted U-shaped hollow support 28 having a relatively longer arm 26 which terminates in a microphone 9, and a shorter arm 8 terminating in an earphone plug 10. Said U-shaped support 28 is held to the rifle stock 1 by a hinge member 7. Said arms 26 and 8 are contour shaped to the left side face configuration of the rifle stock 1.

On the left side face of the rifle stock 1, suitable contour formed grooves and cavities 22/a and 22/ b respectively are provided, into which said microphone 9 located on the contour shaped arm 26, and said earphone plug 11) on the contour shaped arm 8 may be folded in simultaneously and flush with the left face configuration of the rifle stock 1.

A suitable interrupter switch 21 is provided, and is located under the contour shaped arm 26 and is recessed in. the rifle stock 1. Said switch 21 is actuated by the pressure on it by the contour shaped arm 26 in such a way, that during the contour shaped arm 26 is maintained in a folded down position and flush with the contour face of the rifle stock 1, the said arm 26 will exert pressure on said switch 21 and will hold in open circuit position, and when said arm 26 is flipped into operating position, the switch 21 will close the electrical circuit to permit radio communication.

To permit the simplest and shortest electrical 'wiring between components concealed in various cavities in said rifle stock, suitable drilled wiring passageways have been provided between cavities, namely, the cavity 15 housing the circuitry of the radio set 17 is direct connected with cavity 16 housing the batteries 12. A passageway 22 permits wiring between radio set 17 in cavity 15 and the friction contact spring 24 in cavity 20 housing the antenna 3. A passageway 19 permits wiring between radio set 17 in cavity 15 and the earphone plug 10 through the cavity in the arm 8. A passageway 18 permits wiring between radio set 17 in cavity 15 to the switch 21 and then through the cavity in the arm 26 to the microphone 9.

The method of operating my combat radio rifle is simple. A combat personnel may hold the radio rifle in firing or in any other position and by flipping the U- shaped supporting arm in operating position, the microphone and the earphone plug will be automatically positioned in such a way that the position of the earphone plug will coincide with the natural position of the right ear, and the microphone position will coincide with the natural position of the lips of the person using the combat radio rifle. When the antenna is in concealed position, the radio range of communication may be limited to conversations between squad members within limited range. When the antenna is in extended position, the range of communication may be extended for longer range conversation, or to receive communications from more powerful transmitters.

Obviously my invention may be utilized in a great variety of forms and purposes other than military like emergency police or border patrol communications, also for hunting parties in remote regions. All such forms require the general arrangements described, are contemplated by me, and are within the scope of my invention. Naturally, also, the proportions or the arrangement of the component parts may be changed at will without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

It will be apparent that my invention affords means for providing a practical and new combat radio rifle in the simplest form without increasing the physical weight of the rifle in a manner that is not possible with devices known to the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination of a radio and a rifle stock, said stock comprising a hinge sectionized butt plate sealing internally communicating multiple cavities concealed within the butt section of said stock, said concealed cavities adapted to house a subminiaturized two way shortwave radio set, a suitable battery pack power source, a retractible and extensible quarter wave antenna, a concealable microphone and earphone plug, arranged in flush relation with the wall of said stock supported by a contour shaped hinged twin armed support to position said microphone and earphone plug, having a concealed electric switch disposed under one longer arm of said hinged contour shaped support, cavities in said stock adapted for the wiring whereby said radio components are interconnected to form an operable radio device, said combat radio rifle being adapted for two way short wave conversation between separated personnel.

2. A radio rifle, comprising a concealed subminiatun'zed two way shortwave radio set, an extrudable quarter wave antenna, a microphone and an earphone plug, a suitable battery pack as the power source, housed in concealed cavities within the stock of said rifle, said rifle stock having a split butt plate, said butt plate comprising of an upper and a lower section divided by a suitable hinge whereby said upper section may be opened by disengaging a retaining screw to provide an access to the concealed cavity housing said radio set, and whereby said lower section of said butt plate may be opened by disengaging a retaining screw to provide an access to the concealed cavity housing said battery pack.

3. A combat radio rifle, comprising a subminiaturized two way shortwave radio set, an extrudable quarter wave telescoping antenna, a suitable battery pack for power source, housed in concealed intercornmunicating cavities within the stock of said rifle, a U-common support attached by means of a suitable hinge to the upper ridge line of said stock, said U-common support comprising of a longer arm terminating in a microphone, and a shorter arm terminating in an earphone plug, said arms being tubular in construction to permit electrical wiring, and said arms being contour shaped to facilitate concealment when being in flipped down position flush with the side face configuration of said stock and in their corresponding depressions provided in said left front face in said stock, said contour shape of said arms being such that when said arms being in flipped up operating position said microphone will be in coinciding relation to the lips of the operator and the earphone plug will be in coinciding relation to the ear cavity of the personnel operating said radio rifle.

OTHER REFERENCES 7 Radio & Television News, June 1949, Miniature 4 Tube Transceiver, p. 33. 

